Ep78 Maintaining a Resilient Mindset through a Merger Process

The Chief Psychology Officer

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What happens when a major financial merger puts wellbeing at the heart of its transformation strategy? Lucy Becque, Group Chief People Officer at Coventry Building Society, reveals the powerful impact this approach has had as they navigate combining with the Co-operative Bank – doubling their workforce overnight and bringing together distinctly different organizational cultures.
Lucy shares how focusing on resilience through deliberate "firebreaks" – pauses in the relentless pace of change – has enabled leaders to maintain perspective and support their teams effectively. Rather than treating wellbeing as peripheral, they've placed it at the center of their strategy, achieving remarkable results including 91% of employees reporting they receive empathy and support from their managers when needed.
The conversation explores practical, science-backed resilience techniques that don't create additional burden. From incorporating gratitude practices into commutes to walking meetings and authentic emotional conversations, these small habit changes have made a significant difference. Lucy explains how the neuroscience of change – particularly prefrontal cortex fatigue – influences decision-making and why addressing this physiological reality matters.
Perhaps most fascinating is the nuanced discussion about psychological safety. While embracing the principles of creating environments where people can speak up and contribute fully, Lucy shares her concerns about how the terminology can sometimes be "weaponized" to avoid accountability. This highlights the importance of thoughtfully translating psychological concepts into organizational language that resonates authentically.
Whether you're leading transformation or experiencing it, this episode offers valuable insights on building resilience, maintaining human connection during intense change, and creating cultures where people can truly belong and feel proud of their contribution.

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Chapters

1. Introduction to Organizational Resilience (00:00:00)

2. Transformation Through Wellbeing Focus (00:05:30)

3. Building Resilience Habits for Leaders (00:11:42)

4. Creating Space During Intense Change (00:17:50)

5. The Challenge with Psychological Safety (00:23:27)

6. Advice for Organizations Facing Mergers (00:30:15)

7. The Importance of Fun at Work (00:34:00)